Madeline went about making the space presentable while Sturgle undressed. It was a near dawn ritual. One that left Madeline napping a few hours before waking to start the business of keeping her dear Pa’s daytime affairs in order. Then as night approached, she would nap again to prepare for the evening of attending to his needs. As soon as he entered the dining area, in his undershirt and pants, pleased to see the fire blazing and Dinner sat on the table. Madeline spoke first, “Pa, we must punish him for what he’s done to you.” “I couldn’t agree more my dear,” snarled Sturgle. He then scrabbled up into his chair. “For far too long have the humans and vampires of this city trod upon me!” announcing it boldly as if to more than the audience of his adopted daughter. Dinner looked up at his master, panting. As always pleased to see him. The only meal to act this way it earned a permanent reprieve. Longtooth gave it a few passing pets along its soft coat as Madeline spoke. “Do you have any plans in your magnificent mind on how we… you, shall seek retribution?” “First, we have nearly three weeks’ time. It must be in motion and the traps sprung by then. If not, then we either give in to Cartwright, or my house will be plundered by his people looking for payment.” The two leaned in conspiratorially as the conversation continued. Talking for the three hours remaining in the night they made plans. Sturgle confident in his own machinations, Madeline thinking of ways she could ensure they would succeed. For Cartwright not only wronged her father, but had stripped from her immortality that night. Only a vampire noble was granted the right to create spawn, and Madeline so wanted to be gifted.